The Newbie Guide to Sweden

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10 Swedish words to know in the office

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Why do you need to learn Swedish words for the office? Well, are you looking for a job in Sweden? Or, are you already working in a Swedish office? In that case, just knowing 10 simple words or phrases in Swedish might make all the difference for your experience in a Swedish workplace. Rebecca from SweTeach helps you navigate life as a Swedish office worker. Check out the word list below of Swedish words to know in the office.

This post is written by Rebecca Andersson, an experienced Swedish teacher and co founder of SweTeach, language coaching for newcomers.

En fika (noun) att fika, fikar (verb)

No Swedish word list can exist without including the word fika. In the office, fika can refer to several different things. If you grab a cup of coffee and take it back to your desk, it is not considered fika. A fika has to involve either a sweet treat or a social gathering, both in the best case. 

Fredagsfika might be the most popular type of fika. A Friday fika is a weekly gathering at the workplace, usually on Friday afternoons. Some companies have a fika list where someone has to bring in fika for the whole team each week. 

En matlåda (noun)

In Sweden, many people bring their own lunch box or matlåda to work. This plastic, glass, or metal container often includes popular everyday dishes (husmanskost) such as Spaghetti och köttfärssås, Korv stroganoff, or Köttbullar och potatismos. 

Whether to heat up the food in your lunch box or put it on a plate first is up to you. But, if you would like to be popular among your colleagues, I would advise you to avoid fish. It leaves an awful smell behind after re-heating!

En after-work/AW (noun)

Wait a minute, is this not English? You are right, but only partially. The words are English, but the expression is Swedish. An After Work or AW is a social gathering with friends or colleagues where you enjoy a drink and possibly some food together after a working day. An AW often starts around 4 or 5 pm and lasts a few hours. 

The concept is popular in Sweden and you will see plenty of offers on drinks and food similar to a Happy hour. Some bars also offer activities such as darts, boule, shuffleboard, or a pub quiz. 

En lönehelg (noun)

An AW often kicks off a lönehelg. The word translates to ‘pay weekend’ and is often used as an excuse to spend a little extra when you have just received your salary. Most Swedes get paid on the 25th of every month and the preceding Friday if that date occurs on the weekend. This makes Friday the most common payday, which is why lönefredag is also a thing. 

Since most people in Sweden get paid on the same day, a lönehelg often means a busy weekend for shops, restaurants, and bars. Do not forget to book a table if you plan to dine out on the 25th!

Ett möte (noun)

The Swedish meeting culture is famous, or infamous, even outside of Sweden. There are plenty of different meetings to choose from; breakfast meetings, briefings, lunch sessions, team meetings, evaluation meetings etc.

An essential part of the Swedish meeting culture is reaching konsensus. Everyone should contribute to the discussion and agree on a decision. This can take quite some time, and you often have to parkera or ‘park’ issues and schedule a new meeting to continue the discussion.

Ett friskvårdsbidrag (noun)

Fitness and well-being are hot topics in Sweden gyms are to be found everywhere. Many companies provide a friskvårdsbidrag, which is financial support that you can use to pay for a gym card, massage, or membership in a sports association. 

Some employers also allow you to exercise during work hours or organise weekly group exercises for you and your colleagues. In Sweden, the question is not if you work out or not, but what you do for exercise and how often.

Att vabba, vabbar (verb)

Even though many Swedes are interested in health, people get sick here just like everywhere else. When you stay home from work with sick children, you get reimbursed by Försäkringskassan for up to 80 percent of your salary for a maximum of 120 days per year. This system is called VAB, and the word is so frequently used that it was made into a verb. At a Swedish workplace, you can get a message from your colleague stating Jag vabbar idag, which means that the person will be off work due to taking care of sick children. 

In the winter, people tend to get sick more than during the rest of the year. This is why Swedes sometimes speak about the month of February as vabruari, the month of VAB. 

Att tidrapportera, tidrapporterar (verb) 

Many people in Sweden are working from home nowadays. This has made it more crucial than ever to report your work hours or tidrapportera, as you say in Swedish. 

In Swedish offices, it is common to have flexible hours or flextid. This means you do not have to start or finish your workday at any specific time as long as you do your hours. If you work more than you should, you can save hours that you can use for vacation later in the year. 

En semester

Speaking of holidays, every person working in Sweden has a lawful right to vacation or semester in Swedish, confusingly enough. A full-time worker has a minimum of 25 paid vacation days to spend during the year and has the right to schedule four cohesive weeks of vacation between June and August.  

Since people in Sweden tend to spend most of their vacation during the summer period, the word semester is closely linked to the summer holidays. If you take time off during other seasons, you can use the word ledighet, which translates to ‘leave’.

En röd dag

In addition to your vacation days, most office workers are also off work on public holidays. These days are referred to as röda dagar, ‘red days’ since they are marked with red in the calendar. In Sweden, there are about 15 such days per year. 

If you want to maximise your days off work, it is all about combining your vacation days with public holidays. Every year, many magazines and Unions publish guides on how to get the most out of the vacation year. 

We hope you learned a thing or two from this list. If you are looking to learn more Swedish, you can get started with the online course Swedish for Beginners. It is a self paced, self taught digital course that you can take from anywhere at anytime and at your own space. And it is very reasonably priced if we may say so ourselves 🙂 Good luck!

Further reading

TV programs for those who want to learn more advanced Swedish

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Do you want good tips on learning to speak Swedish? Then you’ve come to the right place. With this article, we want to help you achieve your goals with TV. It also gives you tips on what is typically Swedish if you also want to get a better grasp of the country’s identity.

Svenska för alla – UR Play

If you’re not quite ready for advanced Swedish yet, we want to give you this tip, so you can get there. As you who are reading this probably already understand, Swedish is a difficult language to learn. The program “Svenska för alla” (Swedish for All) is for you who have practiced Swedish for a while and are starting to get the hang of the basics, but want to continue to get better at them.

SFI – Invandrare för svenskar – SVT Play

Immigration is large in Sweden and does a lot for our culture and sport. Not least, when we stream Swedish football, we see in the national football team that more and more players now have a foreign background, such as the superstars Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Dejan Kulusevski. The program “SFI – Invandrare för svenskar” (Immigrants for Swedish) has therefore received a lot of attention in Sweden. The idea behind the show is to be both entertaining and educational at the same time. There are also healthy jokes about funny cultural clashes in our everyday life. It’s free to stream on SVT Play. 

Jakten på språket – UR Play

Have you learned to master the Swedish language and want to be extra geeky with it, and maybe even outshine those born in the country? Then “Jakten på språket” (The Hunt for Language) on the educational streaming service UR Play is the right show for you. Here, the episodes take a closer look at the Swedish minority languages ​​such as Yiddish, Sami and Finnish. The program may be quite a few years old, but it still has big relevance as many of us still have a lot to learn about the Swedish minority languages.

Värsta språket – UR Play

How come we have a language at all? Furthermore, what are the most beautiful and ugliest words in the Swedish language? In “Värsta språket” (The Worst Language), the Swedish linguist and entertainer Fredrik Lindström gets to the bottom of several big questions that have plagued us for many years. Among the guests in the show we have the widely famous sports commentator Lasse Granqvist who we usually see on one of Sweden’s biggest streaming services C More where he is a big reason why people get their sports package. 

To find more TV programs that teach you to master the Swedish language, we recommend that you browse SVT Play and UR Play.

ELANS Swedish education

Advertised by ELANS

Swedish learning should be fun. ELANS goal is to make the language learning process as fun and engaging as possible. They, quite rightly, believe that there is no quicker way to learn a language than loving it and having fun with it from the start! Plus, they believe that languages and culture are mashed together, so you will be learning about the culture as well. 

Most of us are eager to learn Swedish and the motivation is usually (at least in the beginning) high. But then stuff like scheduling conflicts and timing get in the way and all of a sudden you find that you keep pushing that elusive Swedish course further in to the future.

ELANS has taken those difficulties out of the equation and offer online Swedish classes that you can take your own time, anywhere and anytime that suits you.

Find your perfect course level

ELANS has six courses available. From Swedish for complete beginners to Upper intermediate. So check out the courses and find you match!

There are also bundles if you really want to make a go of it!

When does the course start and finish?

The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course – you decide when you start and when you finish.

How long do I have access to the course?

How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to the course for as long as you like – across any and all devices you own.

What if I am unhappy with the course?

ELANS say that if you are  unsatisfied with your purchase, you can contact them in the first 30 days and they will give you a full refund.

When you feel stuck learning Swedish

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Written by Fabiola Isidro Alemán

When I moved to Sweden three years ago, I was very determined to learn Swedish, I did everything that I could to learn the language and fully integrate into Swedish life; take Swedish lessons, get a part-time job where I could practice my Swedish, ask for help in Swedish, watch Swedish movies and tv shows…well, everything outside my comfort zone.

My efforts were somehow fruitful. I reached some milestones such as understanding what I was buying in the supermarket and even finishing a book in Swedish (oh that feeling!) but then I came to that point where I noticed that I was not doing progress anymore. I was studying to learn new vocabulary and become more fluent but in the end, I could not fully understand an article in the newspaper nor flow in any conversation; It was daunting. That feeling made me recognize that I was stuck in intermediate level! This is something called the intermediate plateau – The point where you stop making progress as quickly as you did in the past. 

If you’re facing the same situation in your Swedish learning journey, I feel you! It can be frustrating but let me tell you that these are actually good news…yes! Reaching the intermediate plateau is a natural part of the language learning process and It might represent a good opportunity to redefine your learning strategy and finally become an advanced learner in Swedish. Here I share the action plan that helped me make significant progress:

Assess your efforts

If you – dear newbie – are reading this, probably you have also set the objective of reaching an advanced level of Swedish. Becoming an advanced learner has a different meaning for every person, for some newbies, it might represent the chance the get a dream job, for some others a chance to make new friends but we all start from that zero point. When I started my Swedish learning journey, I started like everyone else; introducing myself, talking about my hobbies…I remember the excitement after learning to pronounce the å, ä, ö letters properly. My motivation levels were higher than ever. The journey gets challenging when you understand that the more you advance, the higher effort it takes… but that’s not even the most difficult part; trying to stay motivated along the way is the real challenge. 

If we get to the hard facts, reaching an advanced level means that the person needs to reach around 10 000 words in their vocabulary. Beginners start from zero, and every single new word feels like a huge milestone. However, when you already have in your vocabulary a significant amount of words, adding another five words to your vocabulary doesn’t feel like big progress, right? This is the part where many people start to lose motivation. In my case, not only did I lose motivation but also and I entered, what I call the passive learning way. I kept on studying Swedish grammar, sometimes watching tv in Swedish and that was it… These are not bad strategies themselves but now that I have assessed these efforts, I realized that these strategies did not suit my needs, I needed to work more on my weaknesses which were speaking and writing and I would not acquire more vocabulary or comprehension through the same methods that I was already feeling comfortable with. This process required a moment of reflection so, if you feel stuck perhaps is a sign that you need to take a pause and reflect. I encourage you to question if your efforts to get ahead on your learning journey are suitable for you; Is the method motivating enough? Does it push you to work on your weaknesses?

 

Swedish Intermediate books

Redefine the strategy

After realizing my efforts, it was time to redefine a strategy that would work for me. I decided that I needed methods where I needed to produce my own words and work with topics that were exciting and challenging for me. This could be strategies such as explaining to someone something that I read or listened to, and then having a discussion time, the motivation gets higher and higher as you learn about the topic that you are interested in and besides you get feedback that indicates that the person understands what you talked about. Let me be open and honest, it might be difficult at the beginning but you’ll see that you become more and more confident every time, just be patient.

Another strategy was writing a text where I explain with my own words something that again I read or listened to. This method was slightly easier for me but also helped me to work on my other weakness. Regardless of the method that you define, oftentimes finding your way means to keep pushing through more tedious tasks but believe me, it does pay off. 

E-learning course: Your Swedish learning options

Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed about The Swedish stuff? Where can you learn? How does it work? Can you join the different options if you don’t have a Swedish personal number? We’ve got you covered. Over the years we’ve been repeatedly told just confusing this process can be so we created a digital course with all the information you need to make a good decision. Here you will learn about:

 

  • The different study options to learn Swedish in Sweden.
  • The differences between study alternatives.
  • How much Swedish (and other things) you need for other educational paths in Sweden as well as to work in Swedish.

After finishing this course, you will be able to make an educated study choice and you will learn the most important key words and phrases for studying Swedish in Sweden. Hopefully, Swedish will start making sense!

 

Sign up to your course here

Document your progress

I thank my teachers during my beginner times for allowing me to keep my written papers. Every time I read the text I wrote while I was studying beginner level I get happy and motivated to see the progress I made. When you become more advanced you tend to overlook your small or big progress.  This is an excellent method to measure your progress. It also helps you identify the areas you have improved and those you should be working more on. Last but not least, it gives you a boost in motivation which is the big challenge on this path towards the advanced Swedish level.

The path towards becoming an advanced learner is an uphill but also a non-linear process. As we get further in our learning journey, we tend to forget why we started and we end up losing clarity and motivation. Remember that you are not alone in this. Have a look in retrospect and realize how far you have come.

I hope this might help you on your journey to becoming advanced. Please let me know in the comments how you feel and what you have tried to do when you feel stuck learning Swedish. I wish you good luck in your Swedish learning path!

About the Author

Hej! I’m Fabiola and I come from Mexico. I left tropical palm trees for cold snow but I’ve gained a lot of insights and perspective after living and studying abroad. I’ve been fortunate to learn from different cultures and lifestyles such as those from England, France, Spain, and now Sweden. In my every day I do business and creative stuff. I love chocolate & cheese treats and I get lost in time with film score music and singing. Hope you find my life experiences helpful!

Learning Swedish is fun!

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Written by William Mansell

Learning a language can be a hard process, but it can also be a rewarding one. Swedish is no exception whatever your aims. Whether you are learning for fun, work or planning to move to Sweden, learning Swedish can be fun!

Now we know that the Swedes are a very proficient bunch of people and their high level of English can make practicing with a Swede that bit trickier! Outside Sweden the chances of finding/knowing a Swede are slim, so here are some methods I  regularly use to learn Swedish.

Online Language Apps:

In the age of technology, with 101 different resources available to us at our fingertips. The easiest & fastest way is to use an app such as Duolingo for as little as 5 minutes a day. Broken into manageable sections, Duolingo supplies you with lots of vocabulary & some grammar. I personally like that I can practice all elements from writing & listening to speaking.

Photo by William Mansell

 

TV / Film / Music:

A favourite way of learning for me is to simply watch to programs or films in Swedish. Subtitles can be set in English, Swedish or another language. With many great ‘Scandi-noir’ series and much more accessible on Netflix & Svt-Play it couldn’t be easier.

This style of unconscious learning allows you to get familiar with hearing Swedish & seeing it in written form. Soon you start to pick up words and phrases that you understand. (Please note: Fika or snacks always help! Especially Lördagsgodis!)

The same technique can be applied to music. Sweden is home to a booming music industry and there is no shortage of songs in Swedish. Watch the annual Melodifestivalen show in February, Allsång på Skansen in the summer or listen to the familiar songs of ABBA in their native Swedish. ABBA 100% makes Swedish fun!

Not only it helps to improve your knowledge of the language but also gives you an insight into Swedish culture at the same time.

Some recommendations: Storst av Allt (Quicksand) Bonusfamiljen (Bonus Family) Kärlek och Anarki (Love & Anarchy) Snabba Cash (Fast Money) Melodifestivalen (Sweden’s Eurovision selection) Allsång på Skansen (Sing a long concerts) Julkalendern (Christmas Tv advent calendar)

Check out www.svtplay.se for more!

Photo by William Mansell

 

Books & News:

For me books come at a later stage of learning as you need a certain level of vocabulary & grammar understanding. Having said that, children’s books are a great place to start. For example picture & word books with simple sentences. As your Swedish improves you can advance to teenage & young adult texts until you feel comfortable reading at a native level.

One of my favourites, ‘Short stories in Swedish’ by Olly Richards, breaks up the reading process into sections:

  • Look at the story title and illustration
  • Read a chapter of the story
  • Read a short summary at the end to see if you’ve understood the chapter
  • Review a vocabulary list of any unfamiliar words
  • Answer key questions to test your knowledge of the chapter
  • Re-read as many times until you feel you’ve comfortably understood the story.
Photo by William Mansell

8 Sidor is a news website with short articles in everyday Swedish. It covers local and international news that you may have heard in your native language. There is also the option of listening to the articles, making this a quick and easy tool to add to your everyday routine.

How do you make learning Swedish fun? Will you be adding any of these into a new learning routine? Let us know in the comments.

About the Author

I’m a wannabie Swede, currently living in the UK, hoping to soon call Sweden home! A designer, creator and all-round Swedish fan, I am highly interested in the culture, music, design, nature & of course Fika! When I’m not travelling, I also love to watch Scandi noirs, listen to Swedish music & I watch Melodifestivalen every year! These have all helped me to develop my Swedish language skills!

A complete guide to buying an apartment in Stockholm (Part 2)

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Buying an apartment is one of the most serious steps in life. It requires a lot of planning, savings and to be as prepared as possible. On this part two of the series, I will talk about the mortgage and downpayment. To read part 1 click here. 

Know your Purchase Ability.

Before rushing into apartment visits, you should already have the answer to the following two questions:

Do you have sufficient money (savings) in your bank account? How much can I lend (mortgage) from the bank? To know how much can you get from the bank, follow these steps:

  1. Use a calculator and enter your own figures.
  2. Calculate your Downpayment threshold – determine the price of the apartment you can afford in reality.
  3. Calculate your Total Monthly cost – estimate how much it costs monthly at a realistic property price.

Reality Check #1: Calculate your downpayment threshold 

Your actual wealth is comprised of asset and cash

1) Mortgage (‘Bolån’ in Swedish) – Is the loan that you can borrow from a bank which is going to fund 85% of your property purchase

  • You can borrow about 4.5x your annual income (since Jan 2018). Using an average disposable income of 45,000 KR/ month in Stockholm, one can borrow around 2.4m (=45000*12*4.5).
  • Your loan interest is 30% tax deductible! This means that you get 30% off, paying your interest at a very low and discounted price for owning the entire apartment rather than paying for someone else’s and still not owning any parts of it.

2) Savings in your bank for the downpayment – The downpayment (‘Kontantinsats’ in Swedish) is the initial money you are required to pay when the purchase is made. The money is readily available in your Swedish bank to be transferred to the seller.

  • A minimum 15% of the apartment value is required by Swedish law.
  • Note that if you have a lower income level, you may not be able to borrow enough to cover the full amount of 2.4 m. You will then be required to pay >15% depending on your apartment ‘s price. In that case, choose a smaller and cheaper apartment instead.

So, how much do you need for the downpayment?

Always have money readily available, at least 15% of the downpayment. This amount can change and you may end up paying 25%

  • Being a foreigner, you may not be able to borrow as much with less than 3 years of bank records in Sweden.
  • Your loan might still not be able to cover the full apartment price if you have a lower income or if you desire a bigger apartment

Several hundred thousand KR might sound a lot for a young professional. This is one of the reasons why many local parents buy an apartment for their children to give them when they finish university. However, if you have already been working for several years, then you might possibly be able to have the downpayment by yourself with a smart savings plan.

Your Downpayment Calculator  
Max Loan – 5x income (‘000 kr)  
2,430   
    
Mortgage (‘000 kr)Downpayment (%)Downpayment (‘000 kr)Apt price (‘000 kr)
1,27515%2251,500
1,70015%3002,000
2,12515%3752,500
2,430 (max)19%5703,000
2,430 (max)31%1,0703,500
2,430 (max)39%1,5704,000
Bold*: >15% downpayment required 

Here is a calculator for Mortgage loan calculator .

Using the above scenario of 45,000 KR as a monthly income and a 15% downpayment, you can consider buying an apartment worth of 2.5m with a downpayment of 375,000 KR and a loan of 2.1m (<2.4m of what your bank would allow).

For any apartment of 2.86m or above, you will be paying >15% as your max loan offers only to 2.4m. e.g. 31% of downpayment for a 3.5m apartment.

Try entering your own income level in the calculator now, check the maximum loan you can borrow and the optimal amount of down payment you can handle.

Reality Check #2: Calculate your monthly costs

Your monthly costs for owning an apartment is split into 4 parts:

  1. Mortgage Loan Interest – Varies according to which bank you choose.
  2. Amortization – This is not really a cost. Simply put, this is the money you slowly pay off the total amount you borrowed (principal) through a monthly period. The amount you pay is around 2% of your loan. Note that after your loan-to-apartment price (/loan-to-value) ratio reaches below 50%, you will no longer need to be paying amortization. The general thumb rule is: ‘Borrowers granted mortgage loans after June 1, 2016 must repay 1% of total loan principal yearly if the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio is 50-70%. If LTV exceeds 70%, the repayment must be 2% of principal’ (SEB, Dec 2018).
  3. Housing Association fee (‘Avgift’in Swedish) – aka management fee for the association who takes care of the building.
  4. Utility costs: This is a small payment. Heating is free in Sweden according to the law. Some buildings come with free water and cheaper wifi package. Internet, insurance and electricity will usually amount to about 500kr/month per person.

The table below shows the total monthly cost when you move in (i.e. loan-to-apartment price ratio >50%)

Currently, most small apartments in Central Stockholm are priced around 2.5-3.5m. Assume that you buy an apartment worth of 2.5m, with a downpayment of 15%, interest of 1.5% and amortization rate of 2%. Your monthly costs are 7,492 tr in total.

However, you will only receive the 30% tax refund on your loan interests (9,563 tr=31,900*30%) at the END of each fiscal year, so make sure you have enough cash flow to pay 8,289 KR each month.

   Assumptions 
Annual costs(‘000 kr) Downpayment rate15%
Apartment price2,500 loan Interest rate1.5%
Downpayment375 Amortization rate2%
Mortgage/Loan2,125   
Interest32 loan to apartment price/ market price
Amortization43 85% 
———————-    
Interest/month2.7  (million kr)
Amortization/month3.5 Max loan (est. from SBAB)2.6
Housing Association fee/month1.6 Max loan (income x4.5)2.4
Monthly costs7.8 Max loan (est. from Skandia)2.5
     
Internet0.1   
Insurance0.2   
Electricity0.2   
Other monthly costs0.5   
     
Monthly total8,289   
Less tax (30% deductible on interest)    
Monthly total after tax deduction7,492   

The table below shows the total monthly cost when you pay off a good level of loans (i.e. loan-to-apt price ratio <50%)

   Assumptions 
Annual costs(‘000 kr) Downpayment rate15%
Apartment price2,500 loan Interest rate1.5%
Downpayment375 Amortization rate0%
Mortgage/Loan1,225   
Interest18.4 loan to apartment price/ market price
Amortization0 49% 
———————-    
Interest/month1.5   
Amortization/month0   
Housing Association fee/month1.6   
Monthly costs3.1   
     
Internet0.1   
Insurance0.2   
Electricity0.2   
Other monthly costs0.5   
     
Monthly total3,622   
Less tax (30% deductible on interest)    
Monthly total after tax deduction3,163   

As  I mentioned in Part 1, the actual cost of the apartment is only about 3,000 KR/ month. This happens when your loan to apartment price is less than 50%, meaning that you pay off a good level of loans. Then your amortization rate will equate to 0%,  i.e. your monthly amortization amounts to 0.

This way, you are exempted from paying 10,000 KR per year. Your total monthly cost after tax deduction will now be 3,163 KR per month. Now, compare that to your rental costs (12,000 KR/ month)!

If you are still renting, you are basically helping the flat owner repay his/her million KR loan.

After completing this exercise, it’s time to check the market to see if there are apartments in your price range.

Further reading

Want to know more about buying a place to live in Sweden? We’ve got you covered! Check out these blog posts from our newbie bloggers who share their expertise and experiences. 

Read Part 3 here.

The posts on this Blog are distributed for informational and entertainment purposes ONLY.  Forecasts, estimates and certain information contained here should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or investment product.  Past performance is not indicative of future results.  The Author in no way guarantees any specific outcome or profit.  Investments can lose money over short or even long periods of time.  You should consult your financial advisor before making an investment decision.

About the author

Teenie is a Stockholm-based investment advisor and tech enthusiast. Inspired by the gigantic potential of Stockholm aka ‘Unicorn Factory’, Teenie left her job from a top-tier bank in Hong Kong and moved to Sweden in 2017. She’s also the creator of an online activewear brand (yogafriday.com) and the founder of a fashion community that is still active today in England. At present, Teenie continues to seek for emerging technologies in pursuit of improving everyday living and a better future.

Settle in Sweden within 1 year

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Written by Teenie Fung

Have you considered moving to Sweden alone? Are you worried about the language, culture, job opportunities, cost of living etc? It can be extremely daunting to move from one place to another. However, life is short but remember that preparation is key and adaptation comes next. 

Do your homework, measure the risk and reward. If the risk is too high to lose, have a backup plan or improve your current situation before rushing for relocation. Nothing is impossible! Here’s how I relocated and settled in Sweden within one year. I hope you can find it useful!

Before relocation

Savings are essential to buffer unforeseen risks of relocation. Once you have a work contract, you will need to apply for a work visa from your home country. The waiting time can go from four months to one year depending on the job/ employer. There are jobs that are prioritized in the application process, be sure to check first with ‘Migrationsverket‘ before applying for any jobs.

1. Learn the culture

  • Think long-term. ‘The sense of belonging’ is crucial when you move to a new country. Do you also have special connection to Sweden?
  • Make some friends from Sweden in the country you are currently residing in. Join activities organized by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce and other Swedish-related organizations/meet-ups. Get to know the Swedish community!
  • Learn the Swedish history and traditions! Sweden is full of heritage and rich culture. You will enjoy more Sweden if you know more about it.
  • Buy a book to learn basic Swedish!
  • Visit Sweden during short holiday breaks and meet up with your Swedish friends!

E-learning courses

Feel a bit overwhelmed about all the stuff you need to learn and do before, during and after your move to Sweden? We’ve got you covered with some of our great and affordable digital courses:

2. Line up job interviews

  • The worst thing when coming to Sweden is to have no income and waiting for a miracle to happen. If you haven’t already done your homework, 70% of the population in Sweden are Swedes. The majority of jobs in Sweden require a very good level of the Swedish language.
  • The best strategy is to prepare for multiple job interviews and be as prepared as possible.
  • Set goals and stay motivated.

How to land job offers in Sweden?

Work out every possibility you can think of. Just do it! Don’t only submit your CV to Arbetsförmedlingen if you are a young professional with work experience and a university degree.

  • Get referrals from your current network, don’t be afraid to ask! Network, network and network. This is how I got my first job in Sweden!
  • Check if your current employers have offices in Sweden. If so, you can try to request a transfer wherever appropriate.
  • Leverage your skill sets: Focus your job search on the industry that you have the longest work experience in (at least 2 years). Think from the employer’s point of view. Why they should hire someone from outside Sweden when they can hire someone close to them with the same skill set? Know your strengths. Apply to jobs where you are in a more advantageous position compared to a local.
  • Apply to companies with international business exposure. They are the ones who are most likely to hire foreigners. Know the hiring season in Sweden. June to Aug and Nov-Jan are holiday seasons in Sweden. Job opportunities during these months are extremely low, hence it’s best that you don’t end up in Sweden without a job especially at this time of the year. The best way is to relocate just before the hiring season. Meeting employers in person will hugely increase your chances of getting hired than a Skype/phone interview.
  • Create a long list of companies you want to work for on excel. Do your research on them and mark down your application status.
  • Find jobs that don’t require Swedish in the job description. Don’t waste time applying for jobs where the Swedish language is a must.
  • Try connecting with employees of the companies you want to work for on Linkedin by sending a short note to express interests and ask constructive questions. Speak to Headhunters if possible.
  • Make international cold calls: Sweden is a very open and transparent country. You will easily find a phone number and email address on many company websites. Be brave and make a call to a decision maker for a job interview. Make sure you prepare before the call! Buy an unlimited monthly plan on Skype for 75 KR/ month (much cheaper than using roaming or calling cards) and get a Swedish phone number  It shows that you have interests in moving to Sweden.
  • Go to Career Fairs in universities (e.g. Stockholm School of Economics) and meet employers in person. Bring your CV. You can do that during your short holiday trip.
    First day of work in Stockholm!
    The first day of work in Stockholm!

Most importantly…

  • Know the visa process from head to toe. Call ‘Migrationsverket‘ and ask all the questions you can think of. The queue on the telephone line is extremely long, but it’s worth it! Consult them about the work visa process and your nationality. Most employers don’t know the process. Knowing the process will get you one step closer to landing an offer.

Understand that Sweden is not as international as big cities like London, Hong Kong, Paris and New York. Yet, Stockholm is one of the most innovative cities in the world. The Swedish economy survives by exporting,  so there will always be jobs here for foreigners. Locals are very welcoming despite the recent immigration problem. You just need to find like-minded people as everywhere else in the world!

Ring the bell with me in Nasdaq Stockholm when you are ready!

3. Accommodations:

Watch out for scams! There are many scams online if you try to find accommodation before visiting the flat in person.

  • Ask your friends and new colleagues for short term stay accommodation. Stay in a hotel or Airbnb.
  • Find rental apartments on Blocket and visit the apartment.
  • It’s great to experience living in different areas in Stockholm as an expat. Later on, you may want to buy an apartment to cope with the endless moving.

How to identify scams

The so-called ‘landlord’ might pretend to get to know about you. You may have even Skyped with the person. They might create multiple fake ‘flatmates’ to email you and try to ‘get to know you’. But this person can still be fake.

  • Ask the person for a personal number and full name (This is a unique number given to all Swedish citizens). You can search the person’s information online on hitta.se as there’s no secrets in Sweden! If you don’t find a matching name, personal number and address of this person and its property, then it is a fake. If they refuse to provide you with their personal number, they are likely to be scams no matter what excuses they give.
  • They only want you to send money to a bank account outside Sweden e.g. Spain. That’s because they want to cover up their traces in Sweden in case you reach out to the police.
  • The person disregards you right away when you insist to visit the flat first in person. That’s because they don’t really have one!
  • The contract is too simple – google “scam contract” and check if you have the same copy. Google what terms there should be on a normal contract.

Check for other warnings here on another newbie post.

After relocation: First year in Sweden

1. Welcome to Sweden! Now, get yourself into the happy circle of Sweden!

  • Reconnect with your Swedish friends from the country you previously live in. Make new friends through group hangouts!
  • Go to events organized by Meetup and Eventbrite
  • It’s a modern world. Use different apps on your phone to enlarge your network of friends, but be safe!
  • As everyone says, the fastest way to learn Swedish is to be in contact with a Swedish. And the best way to fall in love with Sweden! I met my boyfriend, John, in Sweden coincidently soon after I started my new life here. He’s a great person with a lovely family!
  • Buy warm clothes! As the Swedish say: “Det finns inget dåligt väder, bara dåliga kläder.” Appreciate the darkness and snow. Get candles and make your home a nice and cozy place.

2. Register for SFI and attend as many classes as possible.

I work full time and I attend Swedish classes every Monday and Wednesday after work from 17.30 to 20.30.

  • You need Swedish to live in Sweden. Everything is in Swedish except the airport and the main train station. Respect local culture and learn the language like you would also want others to respect your own when they are in your country. Eventually, this will open many doors you have never believed possible before. When you finish SFI, you can do this.
  • You will meet like-minded friends with a similar background. They will most likely become your lifelong friends in Sweden.
  • You are more likely to pass SFI exams when you set a goal with your classmates. Study with your friends and help each other even outside the course.

3. Travel to as many places as possible in/near Sweden.

  • Take a trip to Sälen for skiing, Båstad for the beach, Visby for the medieval week, Copenhagen for city exploration and the 10,000 Swedish islands on the archipelago!

Skiing in Sälen
Skiing in Sälen
Beach life in Båstad, Sweden
Beach life in Båstad, Sweden

 

Parliament in Copenhagen
Parliament in Copenhagen

And here you go! You will settle in in no time! Lycka till! (Good luck)

 

About the author

Teenie is a Stockholm-based investment advisor and tech enthusiast. Inspired by the gigantic potential of Stockholm aka ‘Unicorn Factory’, Teenie left her job from a top-tier bank in Hong Kong and moved to Sweden in 2017. She’s also the creator of an online activewear brand (yogafriday.com) and the founder of a fashion community that is still active today in England. At present, Teenie continues to seek for emerging technologies in pursuit of improving everyday living and a better future.

Can you Survive in Sweden Without a Personal Number?

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If you’ve arrived in Sweden on a visa that doesn’t allow for you to obtain a personal number, all is not lost. It can be a challenge to access certain services, such as banking, the library, and signing up for a gym. With a little effort and the right provider, you can not only survive but thrive in Sweden without a personal number.

What is a Personal Number?

A personal number (personnummer in Swedish) is the Swedish national identification number. It is a 10 or 12 digit number used throughout the country to identify individuals. It is obtained when a person is entered in the Swedish population register by the Swedish Tax Agency.

Similar to the American Social Security number or the Canadian Social Insurance Number, Swedish personal numbers are used by government and educations institutions, as well as healthcare organizations.

But that’s not all. Personal numbers are also used by banks, insurance companies, utility providers, gyms, and even grocery stores to record membership. In many cases, you will be asked to provide your personal number instead of giving an address, phone number or even membership number.

Basically, a personal number is your golden ticket to life in Sweden.

But what happens if arrive in Sweden on a short-term visa that won’t allow you to obtain a personal number? When you first arrive, it will seem as though you can’t do or sign up for anything.

When I first arrived in Sweden without a personal number, I tried to access many services only to be denied. I was frustrated as my Swedish dream was quickly turning into a nightmare. But I persevered. Over the past five months, with a little research and a lot of trial and error, I’ve learned you can not only survive but thrive in Sweden without a personal number.

How to Survive in Sweden Without A Personal Number

Banking

Opening a bank account without a personal number is a challenge. Many banks will flat out deny your application if you arrive without all the necessary pieces of information.

SEB is a great option for foreigners. Instead of signing up with a personal number, many branches will allow you to open an account using your passport.

To sign up for an account, pop into your local branch with your passport and the necessary documents ready, explain your situation and they should be able to get you up and running.

The Gym

Signing up for any gym membership or fitness program is fraught with hurdles when you’re without a personal number. For starter, you most certainly won’t be able to sign-up for classes online. Instead of giving up and counting yourself out, pop down to your local SATs (or any other gym of your choice) and speak with a manager. Explain your situation and they may be able to offer you a temporary membership. In these cases, you will most likely have to pay for your 6- or twelve-month membership upfront, but that beats not having access to the facilities at all.

If you’re looking for a more specialized form of fitness, such as yoga, barre or pilates, contact the studio to see if you need a personal number to sign-up for classes. Many of these private organizations don’t require you to have a personal number to purchase a membership.

Swedish Lessons

Even without a personal number, European Citizens can still access Swedish for Immigrants (SFI) classes. SFI classes are an awesome option as they are free and intense, so you’ll learn the language quickly.

For those of us not from the continent, SFI classes are not an option until you have a personal number. Thankfully there are other options. Schools like Folkuniversitet and Grow Internationals offer Swedish language classes to those of us without a personal number. Unfortunately, they aren’t free, but they are a great way to immerse yourself in the language and meet new people.

Life in Sweden without a personal number can be a challenge. From opening a bank account to obtaining a gym membership, you may feel like you’re facing hurdles around every turn. But with a little bit of effort and by contacting the right people, you can not only survive but thrive in Sweden without a personal number.

Written by: Kate Slean

Kate Slean is a Canadian freelance writer and graphic designer who has spent the last three years living throughout Europe. She moved to Stockholm in 2017 and has since been indulging her inner Scandophile and immersing herself in Swedish culture.

On Learning Swedish: Practice, Patience, And A Whole Lot Of Mistakes

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In my last Newbie post, I shared the reasons I chose to learn Swedish (if you haven’t read it, I highly recommend you do). After weeks of living in Stockholm, I was tired of apologizing for my lack of Swedish language skills. I needed to make a change, so I enrolled in a twice-weekly class.

It’s been eight weeks now since I started my lessons. While I’m still apologizing left, right and centre, I’m at least able to fumble my way through the most basic of interactions (I am having pretty decent convos with dogs, if I’m being honest). During these past few weeks, I’ve learned a lot: a lot of new words, a lot of new grammar, a lot of new ways to pronounce familiar and unfamiliar letters and a whole lot about learning new languages.

So today, I’m sharing the three things that have helped me the most in my quest to learn Swedish.

On Learning Swedish: Practice, Patience, And A Whole Lot Of Mistakes

E-learning course: Your Swedish learning options

Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed about The Swedish stuff? Where can you learn? How does it work? Can you join the different options if you don’t have a Swedish personal number? We’ve got you covered. Over the years we’ve been repeatedly told just confusing this process can be so we created a digital course with all the information you need to make a good decision. Here you will learn about:

 

  • The different study options to learn Swedish in Sweden.
  • The differences between study alternatives.
  • How much Swedish (and other things) you need for other educational paths in Sweden as well as to work in Swedish.

After finishing this course, you will be able to make an educated study choice and you will learn the most important key words and phrases for studying Swedish in Sweden. Hopefully, Swedish will start making sense!

 

Sign up to your course here

Practice

One of the most important things when learning a new language is to practice it. Too many people (ahem, me) make the mistake of thinking they only need to practice when they’re in the classroom. But as I learned after my first week, this is a great way to ensure that you forget almost everything you’ve learned.

Thankfully, there are tools that can help you keep up your Swedish language skills outside of the classroom. My favourite is Duolingo, a freemium language-learning tool that works on both desktop and mobile platforms.

Duolingo has been a great help teaching me new words and interesting phrases, for example, You eat my dog’s food. I’m not sure when I will ever use this phrase, but I’m happy to have it in my back pocket should the occasion arise.

Since adding it to my daily routine, I’ve really noticed an increase in my understanding of Swedish and in my confidence when attempting to speak it.

Patience

Patience is key when you’re learning a new language and you’re older than an elementary school student. It can be so hard to not be able to properly express yourself, especially when it’s the simplest of phrases. It can be incredibly frustrating and can lead to feelings of failure and embarrassment.

After a couple of weeks of lessons and practice, I still couldn’t understand the cashier at the grocery store. I was thrown with every question and I kept thinking, I should know this by now!

And then I realized that it had only been a couple of weeks. I just needed to be patient. So, I took a step back. I decided to focus less on the destination of knowing Swedish and focus more on the journey of learning it.

And then one day it just clicked.

Unfortunately, it didn’t click until after I had already apologized to the cashier and we had switched to English, but the important thing was that it had clicked. At some point, I had understood that the cashier asked for a bag.

It was a small, but giant step, and if I hadn’t been patient I might have given up before getting to that point.

On Learning Swedish: Practice, Patience, And A Whole Lot Of Mistakes

Making Mistakes

There’s no way around it, you are going to make a mistake when you’re testing out your new language skills. You’re going to make a whole lot of them. And you need to be okay with it, otherwise, you will never learn.

In the last few weeks, I have made more mistakes than I can even begin to count. From saying the wrong word to forming my sentence in the wrong order, I have made every mistake imaginable.

And it’s been great! Because with each mistake I’ve been able to learn what not to do or say.

Since overcoming my fear of making mistakes and looking stupid, I’ve been able to practice my Swedish so much more. It has helped me attune my ear and get used to the speed at which native-Swedish speakers speak. And, even though I routinely have to switch to English after just a sentence or two, at least I am getting that far.

Because what is two sentences today could very well be two minutes of chatting next month!

Learning a new language is hard. But with a little practice, a lot of patience and the willingness to make mistakes, you’ll make great strides in your quest to learn Swedish, and before you know it, you too will be having great conversations with neighbourhood dogs AND their owners.

Written by: Kate Slean

Kate Slean is a Canadian freelance writer and graphic designer who has spent the last three years living throughout Europe. She moved to Stockholm in 2017 and has since been indulging her inner Scandophile and immersing herself in Swedish culture. 

Introduction to Swedish

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I’ve been living in Sweden for a few months now and while I am far from fluent I have heard more than my fair share of Swedish and have begun stumbling through pronouncing a few sentences of my own. While Swedish bears remarkable similarities to English, German and the other Scandinavian languages, it is a thing all of its own. With the three extra vowels, different grammar and two-tone pronunciation, it can take a while to get the hang of.

That being said, understanding English is a great head start to getting the hang of Swedish. You already have breakfast-table conversation pretty much mastered – and you didn’t even know it!

Start off with a greeting

  • God Morgon – Good Morning

And a hot drink

  • Kaffe – Coffee
  • Te – Tea
  • Mjölk och socker –  Milk and sugar

    Hungry? Grab some food

  • Bröd – Bread
  • Knäckebröd- Swedish hard bread
  •  Äpple – Apple
  •  Yoghurt – Yogurt

Congratulations, you’ve begun your day like a true Swede.

When in doubt, just say it twice! There are several Swedish words that are often said two times, making it sound twice as friendly.

  • Hej hej – Hello!
  • Tack tack – Thank you!
  • Puss puss – Kiss kiss (a goodbye for close family and significant others)

E-learning course: Your Swedish learning options

Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed about The Swedish stuff? Where can you learn? How does it work? Can you join the different options if you don’t have a Swedish personal number? We’ve got you covered. Over the years we’ve been repeatedly told just confusing this process can be so we created a digital course with all the information you need to make a good decision. Here you will learn about:

 

  • The different study options to learn Swedish in Sweden.
  • The differences between study alternatives.
  • How much Swedish (and other things) you need for other educational paths in Sweden as well as to work in Swedish.

After finishing this course, you will be able to make an educated study choice and you will learn the most important key words and phrases for studying Swedish in Sweden. Hopefully, Swedish will start making sense!

 

Sign up to your course here

Hilarious Swedish words – for an English speaker anyway:-)

Now that you have a great grasp on the basics, here is the bonus round, only for the most serious Swedish students. Treat yourself to a fika if you can say them with a straight face.

  • Fart – Speed
  • Farthinder- Speed bump
  • Kissa – Pee
  • Slut – End
  • Sluta – Stop
  • Sex – six

The non-translatable Swedish words

Finally, there are some Swedish words that you will learn, only to realize that there is no direct translation. Here are the words that you will learn and need to share with the folks back home, as they are missing out:

  • Fika – an afternoon coffee with a snack and good company
  • Mysa- to be cozy
  • Lagom – neither too much or too little; just right.

These terms are enough to get you started, but to get a better grasp on the language consider signing up for SFI (Swedish for Immigrants) and check out the Newbie Guide’s “Swedish” page. There are more details about how, why and where to sign up there! As always, feel free to reach out to me via my blog Vagabond beyond.

Hej Då ! (Goodbye)

Written by: Lily Kaufmann

Hi, I’m Lily! I’m 21 and originally from Canada, although more recently I have been backpacking the world. I was an athlete most of my life and a Diver (or, if translated directly from Swedish, a swim-jumper) for the university I attended in Miami, USA. I’m excited to be in Sweden to settle down and to explore my passions and hobbies which include writing, reading and cooking. I am living in Nykoping with my boyfriend, a native Swede.

English in Sweden

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Don’t speak a single word of Swedish yet? No problem!

Everyone speaks English (but all the signs are in Swedish)

‘Is this a cucumber or a zucchini??’ I wondered, as I tried my best to figure out the Swedish on the label. After standing in front of the produce for an embarrassingly long time, I nervously walked up to a stranger. “Um hi, do you speak English?”, brandishing the vegetable in her face and crossing my fingers. She did in fact speak perfect English.

I was in fact in possession of a cucumber, and I haven’t been nervous about going to the grocery store since then. Or any store really, as I have found that literally everyone speaks English. Despite few signs and labels being in English, it is much less daunting to learn and assimilate to Sweden knowing I can ask almost anyone for help.

Bars and clubs play English music

My first week here, I hesitantly agreed to my first night out on the town. I started putting on the four layers of clothing a Swedish October evening demands, while blaring pump-up music from my laptop. As I got the last swipe of lipstick on, I wondered if I was going to know any songs, or if they would all be in Swedish? Maybe I should have looked up Swedish music before I left? But as I arrived at the club, the familiar sounds of Katy Perry, Rihanna and Despacito welcomed me, and I knew Every. Single. Word. Even restaurants and cafe’s play English music!

The library has books in English

Joining the public library is quick, easy, and free! I walked into the library in Stockholm hoping to spend an afternoon reading a few classics. I walked out of the library with a library card and an armful of contemporary novels in English. It’s also a great cozy spot to curl up with a book to hide out from the cold weather.

Finding jobs for English speakers

Sweden has opportunities for people who only speak English to join the job market and even to volunteer! The government and private websites post openings and available positions with an option to filter for language, which makes it easy to find.

All in all, speaking Swedish in Sweden is obviously useful, but not a must to survive!

Written by Ritika Maltani
Ritika Maltani is a Singaporean citizen. She lived all over the world. She graduated from the University of Miami, and she hopes to pursue a career in teaching or law. She took a gap year to travel and decided to live in Stockholm with her boyfriend for a while. She loves reading, writing, great food and trying new things.

Should I say ‘ni’ when talking to a superior in Swedish?

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The other day I received a request for language courses. The email started off with Respected Madame. This made me laugh. At that moment, I had just locked myself in the bathroom to escape my children – and to check my email, and I was trying to shut out the banging on the door. So respected was probably the last term I would identify with. But my personal reaction aside, this is a really serious topic. Regardless if you speak Swedish or not, you cannot get away from the dilemma on what to call people.

Students are often sceptical when I tell them everyone is du, or their first name. Attempts to use ni, as inspired by French or German, are common.

So, is this common practice? Is it considered a polite thing to address superiors or elders with ni rather than du?

Well, at least historically speaking, there is not much to back this up. Common practice in Sweden, up until the 20:th century, would be to address superiors in the third person, including their title:

  • Skulle doktorn vilja ha lite kaffe? [Would the doctor like some coffee?]

Or even worse:

    • Skulle doktorinnan vilja ha lite kaffe? [Would the wife of the doctor like some coffee?]
  • Hur mår Ingenjören idag? [How is the Engineer today?]

Adding a Herr (Mr.) to the Engineer could be rude, as this would indicate that you were on intimate terms. Ni has always been used for the plural you. But for one person, ni/han/hon was used to address those lower in the hierarchy. Du was used for children, siblings, spouses and very close friends.

With urbanisation, the use of titles became an unsustainable solution. There were just too many people and titles to keep track of, and new faces showed up all the time. Instead, phrases that avoided the person were invented:

    • Hur står det till? [How are things? → How are you?]
    • Vad får det lov att vara?  [What could it be? → What would you like?]
    • Ska det vara lite kaffe? [Shall it be some coffee? → Would you like some coffee?]
  • Så det är till att resa? [So it is about to travel? → Where are you going?]

This seemed complicated too, and there was a great need to abandon this system. According to legend, things changed dramatically with dureformen  (the thou reform) as initiated in 1967, as the head of the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare declared that he would call everyone by simply du, and then everyone did.

Of course, as always, this was just one small thing in a much bigger and more gradual movement for more equality between people, reflected also in language. The use of titles disappeared, slowly, at the same time, to be replaced with first names.

At the moment, it is rather common to hear younger people, often working in the service sector, using ni as a politer form of address. It could be worth noting that this use is mainly inspired by translated works (films, TV-series, books) from continental Europe, and not so much the historical Swedish use of the term. I will not condemn this use, language is always in flux, and changes cannot be avoided.

But it is worth noting that elderly people may be offended when addressed with ni, as this signified a lower status, not to long ago.

So the safe option, for you, is to use du for whoever you meet, or their first name. And your safe card for greeting someone is always hej!. As for any attempts to show your politeness through the use of fancy words, there is always the risk (like for me in the bathroom) that the Swedes take it literally.

Sometimes when addressing others, Swedes can appear particularly blunt. The equivalent of “Du?” is not a common polite phrase in most languages.

But in Swedish, this is a perfectly acceptable way of grabbing someone’s attention. On one condition, though. It has to be pronounced with a long, rising tone. A short “Du?” without that sing-song quality to it is in fact very aggressive or rude.

I was once practising this with a group of students, on beginner’s level. I also taught them that they could ask for help in the supermarket, in a very polite (and efficient, as per Swedish standards) way, just by raising and prolonging the tone when pronouncing the product. Payback came the next day, when one of my students walked into class, bowing and exclaiming “Parmesan!”. He had mistaken the cheese for a greeting.